by Colin McGowan

Ben Simmons has accidentally, tragically found a new way to play the game. It is more painful to witness than passing up a playoff dunk. There has to be basketball at the end of this.

by John Wilmes

Joel Embiid has won a turf war against Ben Simmons because he's improved a bit more and definitely in easily noticeable ways. Embiid also won over the people in power within the Sixers, as well as the fans and the media.

by Colin McGowan

As hard as this summer has been on his shaken teammate, Joel Embiid has surely been struggling too. Struggling to keep his thoughts to himself, to put in the work knowing that his fate will be decided by forces beyond his own commitment. It's an existential bother, a fittingly big mannish problem.